Improvement in car-couplings



VT. '1. CARSON & P. F. WHITING.

CAR-COUPLING.

Patented Nov. 16,1875.

java/3 065 UNITED STATES THOMAS T. CARSON AND PHILIP F.

PATENT OFFroE.

wnrrme, OF MORRISTOWN, TENN.

IMPROVEMENT lN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 169,891, dated November 16, 1575 application tiled February 24, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, THOMAS T. CARSON and PHILIP F. WHITING, of Morristown, Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-Couplings; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, that will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon, forming a part of this specification.

Figure 1 shows a side sectional elevation, and Fig. 2 a top sectional view, of our invention.

The object of our invention is to produce a self-acting link and pin car-couplii'lg, in order to obviate the necessity of passing between the cars to perform the operation, and at the same time render the action certain, safe, and speedy.

To do this we constructa draw-head of cast or wrought iron, of the ordinary shape, with the mouth or entrance considerably longer, in order to give a wider opening for the entering of the link from cars of difi'erent height, as between a loaded car and an empty one. In the back part of the draw-head is a recess, 19, in which plays a sliding block, 0, having on its face or front end a projection, r, and on the back end two arms, 71 i, to each of which is attached a spiral spring, is k. Directly in front of each spring is a small bolt or pin, J J, to which the springs are attached. These spiral springs play in a slot or groove, q g, at each side .of the recess 19. Attached to the upper end of the pin 6 is an anchor-shaped hook, f, to which is fastened a rod, g, having ajoint or cross-bar, m, and at its upper end a handle, l. To the car 0 is attached a staple or loop, n, through which the rod 9 extends. ()n the top of the draw-headis aturretshaped elevation, d, having a conical head with a groove, 8, on its under side, and a hole, h, for the reception of the pin.

The operation of our invention is as follows: The link I), when driven into the mouth of the draw-head a, forces back the sliding block 0, upon which rests the pin 0, thus liberating the pin and allowing it to fall through the link b, and thus complete the coupling. The link or shackle is held in position by means of the spiral springs 70 k drawing forward the block 0, which, with its beveled face 1, exerts a downward, as well as a forward, pressure upon the inner end of the link, thus holding up the outer end ready for the entering of another car. When the pin drop it is held in position by means of the anchorshaped hook j, which falls in the groove 8, under the head of the turret d, and holds the pin in position, thus obviating the danger of an accidental uncoupling. The anchor is de tached and the pin withdrawn from the top of box-cars by means of the rod 9. When the pin is Withdrawn the spiral springs pull forward the block 0, thus covering the pin-hole h, and afi'ording a restingqilace for the pin c. To prevent the complete withdrawal of the pin when uncoupling box-cars the rod g is provided with a crossbar or large joint, m,

below the staple n, allowing the rod 9/ to be drawn only up to the proper height for uncoupling. On passenger-cars and flats the rod 9 may be dispensed with, and the uncoupling performed by using the anchor f as a handle for the pin 0. i

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the draw-head, having an extended opening or mouth, as

shown, the movable block 0, with its beveled face r, arms 45 i, and springs k k, all substantially as set forth.

2. The pin 6 and anchor f, in combination with the turret d and groove 8, whereby the pin is locked in position, substantially as here; in described.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing we have hereunto set our hands this 20th day of February, 1875.

THOMAS T. CARSON.

PHILIP ll. WHITING.

Witnesses: JEHU MORRIS, J. M.SMIT11. 

